Marwahi Bypoll: Ajit Jogi’s Son Appeals To People To Vote Out Congress After His Nomination Paper Was Rejected

For the first time in 19 years, the Marwahi constituency in Chhattisgarh, known as the "family bastion" of former Congress leader late Ajit Jogi, will not see a Jogi fighting the election. The Marwahi Vidhan Sabha seat fell vacant with the death of Jogi. Bypoll is scheduled for 3 November.

His son Amit Jogi wanted to fight in the forthcoming Marwahi bypoll, but the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) chief's nomination was rejected for the reserved constituency. His caste certificate was pronounced invalid by a committee last week.

Amit Jogi has alleged that his nomination was cancelled on the orders of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

He also alleged that the Congress and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel are fighting in the electoral wrestling pit alone after pushing out the family of the late Ajit Jogi.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Jogi has questioned the power of Baghel, saying that even after pushing out the Jogi family from the contest, he (Baghel) is compelled to pour in all his MLAs, his cabinet, efforts and time.

He has further alleged that he is failing to understand why despite these efforts and making thousands of volunteers show their support, Baghel has to resort to referring to his father (late Ajit Jogi) and his father's memory in insulting terms. He alleged that his father has been referred to as "nakli", "farzi" "nikamma" and "pakhandi".

He has made serious allegations on Baghel regarding the use of public funds, and threatening people, insulting democracy.

Amit Jogi said that if Baghel has really done some good work, he wonders why the Chief Minister has to resort to these steps. He said that he understands that it was happening because the poll has become about power versus people. He added that the public will give him justice despite all efforts and time from Baghel.

Amit Jogi has decided to extend support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate.

This report says:

In a written statement, Jogi said that he was informed by the JCC (J) legislative party leader Dharamjeet Singh and party leader Rajendra Rai that they have decided to extend support to BJP candidate Gambhir Singh.

He has appealed to the people of Marwahi to "vote against the Congress”.

He has been quoted as saying: "Congress chief minister and his party members have been continuously insulting my father Ajit Jogi that goes against the tradition of the country and basic morality. Hence, we have decided to extend support to the BJP in the bypoll and I appeal to the people of Marwahi to vote against the Congress and teach them a lesson.”

BJP leader and spokesperson Sachidanand‏ Upsane has said that they welcome the support of their party candidate.